Farmers Movement Archive

I write regularly to stay positive, says comedienne-actress Savita Bhatti

Tribune News ServiceChandigarh, April 13Just like we factory reset our phone when it malfunctions, nature has pushed the reset button. Drawing this comparison is comedienne-actress-social activist Savita Bhatti.“Nature had been beckoning us to respond. Air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, global warming and depletion of ozone layer, we weren’t taking any of this seriously so it decided to restore to its original setting.” Now that means being back to doing basic things we had forgotten, including dusting, cooking, cleaning and washing.Nature had been beckoning us to respond. Air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, global warming and depletion of ozone layer, we weren’t taking any of this seriously so it decided to restore to its original setting.— Savita Bhatti“In pursuit of a successful profession, we were taking all these things for granted.” Today, according to her, we are trying to find the silver lining in these dark clouds hovering over us. “It’s different for different individuals. I’ve started with Mandala art. It is a great stress buster. Colouring geometrical designs not only keeps me calm, but it also tests ones brain-hand coordination.” This is besides the other obvious things like reading books, ‘Quaran-binging’ shows like Friends, Modern Family, listening to Punjabi music to keep things peppy, trying new recipes with daughter Rabiya.“To stay positive, I write regularly. I had started writing a book on Jaspal ji’s Nonsense Club. I’ve come back to it. Through the book, I want people to know him beyond TV and films. Here in Chandigarh they do, but there are many who could benefit from the person he was.” This ode to Nonsense Club and how she looks at it is a source of happiness but the biggest happiness for her was when old shows made it back on TV. “There are requests to bring Flop Show and Full Tension back too. This fills me with home and happiness.”While she seeks ways to fill herself with hope and gratitude, she also has worries that she turns into prayers. “My father is in his 90s. He recently recovered from two ICU admissions. My mother is in her late 80s, I am worried for them but I surrender to God and pray for their well-being. Then I tell myself, they are at least living in a comfortable space. There are those who must be in terrible circumstances.”Equating Covid-19 with a world war from history books, Savita says the only difference is that, “We are in it together.The whole mankind is facing it together, fighting for life and praying for mankind.”Another thing we all must do is to salute the administration, police, doctors, health workers and those providing the essential commodities. “Even when they were playing their role, they were invisible to us. Today, we can see the heroes they are, we must appreciate them.”

The Tribune

2020-04-14